Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Yel...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 24, 2013

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I have been on NuvaRing for 3.5 years. I almost immediately experienced major mood swings, crying, getting offended by things that normally don't bother me. However, the convenience and the fact that my severe cramps and heavy flow greatly diminished made it worth it to me. But as time went on, after the first year or so, I began to notice my sex drive wasn't as strong. Two years in, I had zero sex drive whatsoever, and three years in I experienced many more side effects. These include severe cystic acne, 12 lb weight gain, headaches, nausea, and my mood swings have worsened. I feel anxious all the time. So, tonight I took it out and don't plan to put one back in again. I did go off the ring once before for a month and felt normal again."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 3, 2013

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I started using this product when I became serious with my boyfriend. I'm very scatterbrained, so using it has been amazing in regards to never worrying about missing a pill. I can just leave it in and not worry. After being on it for only 3 months, I noticed an extreme weight gain, loss of sex drive, virtually no vaginal fluid, breast tenderness, anxiety, and severe mood swings. But I stayed on it, hoping it would pass. It hasn't. 2 years later, I'm only on it for convenience. I'm switching this week."

• Al ...
• August 28, 2016

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I LOVE THE RING!!! Ladies, I seriously recommend the ring to anyone and everyone. The ring has given so much freedom in college, and it's amazing. I've been on it for a year and have had zero side effects. ZERO weight gain, no acne (in fact, my skin is clearer than it was before being on the NuvaRing), no mood swings, no decrease in sex drive, etc. Five of my friends have tried the ring as well, and they love it too!! You can't feel it once inserted, and it stays in place during sex and won't move until you take it out. It's super easy to put in as well! It has helped make my period super manageable, and I have no PMS. I used to suffer from painful periods, and now I don't have to worry about any of that. It's great! Give it a try!"

• CLB...
• June 27, 2013

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I have been on the NuvaRing (NR) for about 6 months. Although it is extremely convenient, I have had the worst mood swings EVER. The mood swings overpower the convenience of the NR for me. I have also gained about 10-15 pounds, which is not normal for me at all (20 years old), low to really no sex drive, headaches, nausea. I know side effects are different for everyone, but I wanted to let someone else know my problems before they have to deal with them."

• Sam...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 24, 2019

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I started NuvaRing 8 months ago after being on 3 different IUDs the past 17 years. At first, I loved it. It did make my vagina swell the first week, but it wasn’t irritating or a problem. Periods are kind of all over the place, and cramping is worse than ever before. Had me laying with a heating pad 3 out of the 5 days. After 8 months, I have gained 16 pounds, and my anxiety and depression are through the roof. I had 3 panic attacks in the past 2 weeks, and it is definitely from this birth control. On a positive note, my cystic acne completely went away, and my skin is, for the most part, really clear. Also, I have not gotten pregnant. I would recommend this product but to pay close attention to your mental health. If you feel anxiety and depression coming on, you need to stop using it and contact your doctor. I’ve also had brief suicidal thoughts. I stopped taking this and am trying the mini pill. Wish me luck. I am writing my review because I feel birth control side effects are extremely underreported."

• Kyl...
• June 26, 2016

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I have been on the NuvaRing for nearly seven months now, and I love it. I am a busy college student, and I was terrible about remembering to take the pill. I couldn't take it at a consistent time each day because I was never always home at a certain time. This led to a lot of scares. Since I've been on the ring, I have not had any adverse side effects. No weight gain, no mood disturbances, no pain, etc. It has been wonderful for me, and I don't think I'd ever consider another form of birth control at this point in my life."

• Anonymous
• October 29, 2009

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "A very simple birth control to use. I couldn't remember pills, so I was on the ring for almost 3 years (I'm now 29). My sex drive has been reduced to nothing, except late in my period, not coincidentally when the ring has been out the longest. My periods are short, only about 2 1/2 days of light flow, but the cramps start 2 days before that and last right up till I put the next ring in. Worst of all is the depression and mood swings. I have a great life, but when my husband asks what I want for lunch, that has been enough to reduce me to literal tears lately. Also, I've gained nearly 40 pounds despite being more active than ever. I just came back from the gyno and got a copper (non-hormonal IUD) inserted today."

• Tin...
• April 28, 2017

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I've been on NuvaRing for about 2 years now, and I recommend it to all my friends. I didn't experience any mood swings or weight gain. But my boobs went up a cup size. It's super easy to put in and take out, and I never forget to take it because it's already there! 3 weeks, and then out one week for a period, and then repeat. It sometimes falls out from sex, but you have 3 hours to put it back in. My boyfriend doesn't feel it at all. You should definitely try it. Nothing but great results for me."

• gra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 20, 2020

For Birth Control "I was on the name brand NuvaRing for over a year. The only issue I had was that I gained a lot of weight without doing anything different with my diet. But this was my only side effect. I put up with this issue because everything else about it was so awesome! I will always recommend the name brand NuvaRing. However, I was recently switched to the generic version due to insurance reasons. THIS IS THE WORST THING TO EVER HAPPEN TO ME!! My acne is bad, my period is bad, I’m constantly nauseous, I've gained more weight, and my hair is falling out. These past few months have been terrible. I’m looking for a different method of birth control due to this. Do not recommend."

• Ak4...
• January 11, 2016

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I've been using NR for 6 years. I love it. I've tried Yaz and some other types of pills, hated that you had to take them at the same time each day. This is much more convenient. I get my period right on time and then take it out. Simple. It doesn't do anything different to me, such as acne or weight gain. But that depends on the person more than the contraceptive. The best way to put it in: use a tampon applicator (take out the tampon), place the ring in the applicator (bend the ring), and put it in as if it were a tampon. I've heard of it coming out during sex, but I've never experienced this, nor have I ever had it slip out or go missing. Highly recommended :) :) Unfortunately, it is pricey, however. :("

• M V...
• September 15, 2020

For Birth Control "I was switched from NuvaRing to Prasco's generic in March. I have gained 5 lbs a month (while eating like a diabetic) for a total of 25 lbs. All around my waist. My waist grew 8 inches. I have not had the headaches that most people report, but I have acne at 42 for the first time in my life. Insane nightmares. Not sure if they are related. Frequent insomnia. My bipolar has never been worse. I feel like I have been manic for months. Constantly irritable, starting fights with people, on the verge of ending relationships. I take lots of walks and often had to stop and sit because of unbearable cramps in one of my legs. I am thrilled to have figured this out today. I even had my thyroid and hormones (including cortisol) checked after 6 months of weight gain and hell. Nothing made any sense, and everyone blames everything on COVID. (Not everything is COVID.) NuvaRing was magical. Hopefully, this gets recalled, and there's a way to use it again. I would give it a zero, but I can't."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 16, 2015

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I would only recommend this birth control to someone that is trying to sleep with my boyfriend because it made me bloated, bleed constantly for 2 months, back aches (complete period symptoms non-stop for 2 months), and gain weight - huge turn-offs to anyone. I am in so much bodily discomfort and have been bleeding for so long now, it is definitely preventing pregnancy. I cannot wait to switch to another form of birth control. It feels like a combination of irritable bowel syndrome and being pregnant."

• Bre...
• April 22, 2016

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I've been on the NuvaRing for about 6 years now. Never had any problems from beginning to now. I did have horrible cramps my first month using it when my period came, but after a few months, my body got used to it. I now only have a period that's about 3-5 days, and I enjoy how it spots right before I take the ring out, so I know it's time for my monthly cycle. It's easy to insert, and you don't have to think about having to take a pill every day. I did notice that when I had no health insurance, I went about a month without it; I had gotten my period, and it was horribly heavy with terrible cramps. But after restarting, everything got back to normal. I never noticed any weight gain or mood changes. My sex drive has stayed the same over all these years."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 21, 2014

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I started using the NuvaRing in early December 2013, and I stopped using it after my month trial was up. I had a few side effects: weight gain (with no change in diet), headaches, no sex drive, and periods that started a week early. I was on the pill for a year and a half with none of these side effects. The NuvaRing just isn't for me."

• Gab...
• July 16, 2019

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I used to use NuvaRing years ago and never had an issue with it. I loved that I didn't have to take a daily pill. Unlike other birth control, NuvaRing didn't make me nauseous or break out. I recently started using it again after about a 4-year break. Huge mistake. I have been on it for 2 months, and I had to take it out. I am normally just a happy person in general, I became so short-tempered and irritable. My fiancé saw me so emotional and anxious. I couldn't figure out what was wrong with my head and would snap at my son and fiancé over nothing. I gained 5 lbs in less than 2 months, am always hungry and super tired. I also started getting short of breath and had leg cramps that were absolutely crippling. I would wake up screaming from the cramps, and the next day my calves would feel bruised. I don't know if it's changed since I last used it, but I can't handle it. The effects were noticeable after just 2 days, so if you notice anything abnormal after you start taking it, don't ignore it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 23, 2016

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "Gained 60 pounds in less than 3 months, periods went from 28-day, 4.5-day clockwork regular to 2X a month, 9-day long murder-scene heavy. PMS used to be mild to nonexistent, went to migraines from hell, debilitating cramps, etc. Dr. told me to stick with it. I did for a year. Off the ring, took a year and lots of work to get my periods back to something approximating normal, and the weight will NOT budge. I did not have weight issues before, never had. Now I also have endometrial hyperplasia and have been told the weight is sticking no matter what I do to lose it due to an overabundance of estrogen. If you use the Ring and start gaining or going period-wonky AT ALL, stop, please, immediately and do not be like me."

• Meg...
• April 15, 2015

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I was using the NuvaRing for about a year and a half, maybe a little over. At first, I noticed a change in my attitude, as if it almost made me crazy, emotional, and snippy. I was excited to have my period shortened to a day a month with clear skin while also being protected from pregnancy, so the mood change wasn't a big deal. About 6-7 months after being on it, I started gaining weight with no diet change. Now looking back, I went from 153 to 198 lbs. Also, my sex drive decreased 100%! If it weren't for my boyfriend loving sex, sex probably wouldn't even cross my mind. Went off it last week with high hopes because the side effects aren't worth it after the convenience wears off."

• Car...
• October 19, 2013

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I have tried Loestrin Fe 24 & Ortho Tri-Cyclen, both to no avail. Mood swings, depression, weight gain *permanently* of 10 pounds each time. I was ready to give up. But my cousin working in an OBGYN office gave me four months of the NuvaRing as a trial. I CAN TELL YOU I'M IN LOVE! I lost 10 lbs the first month, my appetite was cut in half. My period was light, barely any cramping, & no spotting or ovary pains from my PCOS. These fantastic results continued into the 2nd and 3rd month, I continue to lose unwanted weight. My one complaint: the first 2 months of the ring I had slight vaginal pain, kinda like a yeast infection & an increase in discharge. But the side effects went away as my body adjusted after the 2nd month. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND!"

• Ber...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 18, 2019

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "The worst birth control so far. I do not feel in control of my emotions. I had depression with really negative thoughts. I turned to everyone around me for validation about myself, including my boss. I’ve suffered from severe paranoia, complex of inferiority, self-doubt, self-hate, and I would cry at everything. I also gained 10 pounds and have not been feeling like my confident self."

• KAC...
• September 14, 2014

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I actually loved the NuvaRing! I did have some side effects such as cramping and breakthrough bleeding, as well as the ring actually sliding out. I know it is unheard of, but I did gain weight on the NuvaRing, nothing major but a good 5 pounds! I used the ring for about three months. I recently switched to Lutera to see if I like that better. I will post a review on Lutera when I use it longer."

• Tat...
• August 2, 2015

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "The ring is the best birth control I have used. I had the pills, but it was so hard to remember to take, and I had the patch. I gained a lot of weight being on the patch, but when I was on the ring, I was able to lose the weight and stay the same weight. It actually made my periods lighter, and I barely have cramps. The only thing I have negative to say is I have constant discharge, and it does not feel like a regular period. But I prefer the light bleeding to the harsh periods I used to have. I highly recommend, but the ring is not for everyone."

• led...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 16, 2020

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I was on NuvaRing for years with no side effects. I was switched to EluRyng about five months ago - despite eating super healthy and working out hard, I have gained 10+ pounds, and my breasts are always super, super tender. I've also started breaking out. Just bad - I'm getting switched off as soon as possible. Don't believe anyone when they say generic is the same!"

• Abc...
• November 9, 2019

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "I have been on many different pills, two different IUDs, the Depo shot, and then the ring. The ring, by far, was the worst. I had side effects with all forms of birth control, usually to do with unusual bleeding or inconsistent periods. The NuvaRing was the only birth control I could find that controlled my periods. Unfortunately, it also caused acne, weight gain, despite feeling nauseous all the time and having no appetite. No sex drive, and I was so anxious and emotional that I thought I was going crazy. I was on the ring for almost two years, with all of these side effects, which I did not realize were being caused by it. When I finally realized this may be why this is happening, I took it out, and I feel so much better now."

• nuv...
• August 13, 2009

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "It seems that a lot of the people describing their experience with the NuvaRing are of the younger generation. I'm 31 and have been using the ring for the last 4 months after being on Ortho Tri-Cyclen for years. Within the first 2 weeks of inserting the ring, my body went through changes as if I were in puberty all over again. My breasts swelled and became annoyingly sensitive, my face broke out with acne, and I gained weight over two months' time. On top of all of this, I've been overly emotional and tired. The convenience of the ring is nice, but definitely not worth all the side effects for me."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 9, 2019

Ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel for Birth Control "Hadn't been on birth control since my IUD was removed 11 years ago. I've been on the NuvaRing for 3 months now, and already been to the ER for chest pain, MRI for headaches, and waiting 3 months for a GI appointment. EKG results were fine, so they suggested it was my esophagus. Never had so much abdominal discomfort in my life. I've gained over 20 lbs, and no matter what or how much I eat, I feel like I'm going to explode and I burp like crazy. Can't take a brisk walk, much less run anymore. Coincidence or not, my body changed from one day to another, and it was around the same time I started on this."